Album-clasp



{No Model.)

w. LOWERY.

ALBUM CLASP.)

No. 361,304. Patented Apr. 19,1887.

awuamtoc n PETERS Pnowumngn hu. wmhin mn. u. c

XVOODBURY LOWERY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO SUSAN LILLIE MITCHELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ALBUM-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,304, dated April 19, 1887.

Application filed February 9, 1987. Serial No. 227,029. (No model.)

-' citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements .in Album-Clasps, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention consists, essentially, of an arm having at each end an enlarged head, which fit into apertures of corresponding shape madein the covers of an album and serving, when fitted therein, to hold the album or note-book closed, and at the same time to retain in place a pen, pencil, or other utensil attached to such arm.

In the accompanying drawings my invention is shown applied to a journal-album having pages for the reception of photographs and a space below for notes. Additional leaves may be inserted between each photographpage for further notes, and the whole is accompanied by an index-calendar having three columns one for the day of the month, assecond for the page where the notes for that day are inserted, and a third for the page where the photograph or sketch illustrative of the notes has been placed. The headed arm is here shown integral with a mucilage-bottle for applying the pictures, and the edge of the album-cover is shown as projecting somewhat beyond the pages of the album, in order to facilitate the closing and clasping of the book when fille with photographs.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an album, showing the index-calendar page, the inucilage-bottle attached to the headed arm, and the notch on one of the covers. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly broken away, showing the operation of the clasp. Figs. 3 and 4 are modifications of the notch; and Fig.5 is a view of the pen, pencil, or other utensil and the conical headed arm attached to the same.

A A are the album-covers; B B, the notches therein. (Shown in their simplest formin Fig.

3.) C is the mueilage-bottle. D D is the headed arm attached thereto, having enlarged heads (1 d, in the shape of inverted truncated pyramids, corresponding to that of the aper- 5o tures B B, and a shank or arm, 6 6, attached to the mucilage-bottle O.

The operation of the clasp is as follows: The covers of the book being closed, heads (I d are slipped into place, so as to engage with the respective notches B B, and the book is clasped, as shown for B and d in Fig. 2. V

In Fig. 2 notches B B are shown with conical apertures on the inside of the cover, somewhat larger than the section of the shank e e of the headed arm. These notches are provided with projecting shoulders b b on the edge of the notch, having sufficient space between their projections to admit of the insertion of shank e c. It follows that when headed arm D. D has been inserted the book-covers, springing slightly apart, cause shoulders I) b to somewhat inclose conical heads d d and prevent theslipping out of the arm.

Fig. 4 shows another modification, consisting of the spring-catches c 0, inserted in one side of notches B B. These catches are pressed back when the shank is inserted, and when released spring forward again, grasp shank e e, and retain it in place.

The notches B B may be made in the covers themselves or in metal or othersuitable material and applied to the covers, as shown in Fig. 3.

Should it not be desired to remove the utensil, but merely to open the journal, it can be done by releasing the clasp from one notch only and leaving it attached to the other cover of the album until again closed or required for other purposes.

I do not limit myself to the use of the headed arm with a pen, pencil, or mucilage-bottle, as it may be used with any utensil or receptacle for utensils which it may be desired to have with the album. Thus bottle C may contain artists materials, and the arm may be made removable. Neither do I limit myself to the particular shape of the apertures and heads of the arm, as they may be triangular or of other polygonal cross-section, provided always that the conical form is substantially retained, by means of which the arm-heads and notchesinterlock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a book or other cover, of an aperture recessed in the edge of one cover, open on one side, and an arm connected at one extremity to the other cover and having an enlarged head corresponding in shape to that of the aperture and capable of being inserted therein, substantially as here inbefore set forth.

2. The combination, with a book or other cover, of an aperture recessed in the edge of one cover, open on one side, an arm connected at one extremity to the other cover, having an enlarged head corresponding in shape to that of the aperture and capable of being inserted therein, and means for retaining the headed arm within the aperture, substantially as hereiubefore set forth.

3. The con1bination,with the covers ofabook or other receptacle having an aperture open at the side in each cover, of an arm having at each end an enlarged head corresponding in shape to that of the apertures, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

sil having projecting headed arms capable 01' being attached to a book or other cover by the means substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VOODBURY LOWERY. \Vitnesses:

\VM. F. SPEIDEN, JULIUs SOLGER. 

